In March 1935 HMS Bridgewater was based on the Cape Station and was first docked in the Selborne dry dock at Simonstown, South Africa on the 18th of this month. She often used the facilities provided at Simonstown prior to the outbreak of war.

In September 1940, HMS Bridgewater in company with HMS Milford were summoned from the South Atlantic to proceed to Freetown and then on to the Mediterranean, to team up with the fleet involved in operation \"Menace\". This was the plan to prevent the Vichy French fleet from entering Dakar. British naval forces attacked Dakar to prepare a landing by the Free French troops. Bridgewater and Milford formed part of the British unit, with Vice Admiral Cunningham in overall charge.

On New Years Day 1942 convoy WS-14 arrived in South Africa from the U.K. with reinforcements. The convoy consisted of 18 ships. Bridgewater in company with the light cruiser HMS Ceres were responsible for the escorting of this convoy. On 19 March convoy WS-16 arrived in South Africa from the U.K. with reinforcements. The convoy consisted of 14 ships and HMS Bridgewater assisted with the escorting of this convoy.

In September 1943 HMS Bridgewater was serving in the Atlantic in company with Milford and formed a unit of the 40th escort group, involved in escorting convoys on the U.K. - Gibraltar route and was based at Freetown.

On 22 May 1947 Bridgewater was sold to Howells, Gelleswick Bay for breaking up.

Notable events involving Bridgewater include:

30 Mar 1941HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) departed Freetown for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to participate in a special operation (Operation Grab) in which four Italian submarines coming from the Red Sea and their German supply vessel/tanker were to be intercepted. The British had discovered where these ships were to make rendez-vous though 'Ultra' (code breaking) and decided to spoil 'the party'.

18 May 1941The British merchant Piako is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-107 about 130 nautical miles south-west of Freetown in position 07°52'N, 14°57'W. HMS Bridgewater (Cdr. H.F.G. Leftwich, RN (retired)) later picks up 65 survivors.

1 Dec 1942HMS Bridgewater (Cdr. N.W. Weeks, OBE, RN) picks up 19 survivors from the British tanker Cerinthus that was torpedoed and sunk on 10 November 1942 by German U-boat U-128 about 180 nautical miles south-west from the Cape Verde Islands in position 12°27'N, 27°45'W.

18 Jul 1943At 07.56 hours on 18 July 1943, the unescorted British passenger ship Incomati was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-508 about 200 nautical miles south of Lagos. At 08.18 hours, the U-boat began shelling the ship, setting her on fire and left the wreck in sinking condition. The ship finally sank in position 03°09'N, 04°15'E. One crew member was lost. The master, 101 crew members, eight gunners and 112 passengers were picked up by the British destroyer HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN) and the British sloop HMS Bridgewater (Cdr. N.W.H. Weekes, OBE, RN) and landed at Takoradi.

30 Apr 1944HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departed from Holy Loch bound for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the Far East. During the passage south through the Irish Sea she was escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

For the daily positions of HMS Terrapin during this passage see the map below.

Upon completion of these exercises HMS Vitality, HMS Varne and HMS Bridgewater proceeded to Campbeltown while HMS Trident proceeded to Holy Loch.

During the night of 12 / 13 August 1944, HMS Varne, HMS Vitality and HMS Bridgewater conducted night exercises off Campbeltown. Upon completion of these exercises all ships proceeded to Holy Loch. (13)

23 Aug 1944HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Tiptoe returned to Holy Loch. (15)

5 Sep 1944HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR) served as the target. These were followed by (night) attack exercises during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) served as the target. (17)

28 Jan 1945HMS Sibyl (Lt. H.R. Murray, RN) departed the Clyde area for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Spearhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Youngman, RNR) that was to proceed to Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (26)